Word
corroborate
Phoneticscor·rob·o·rate, stress on the second syllable
US/kɝˈɑbɝˌeɪt/
UK/kəɹˈɒbəɹˌeɪt/
Definitions
01to confirm with evidence
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to support a statement or story by providing new evidence that shows it is true.
v. to confirm or support a finding, statement, or theory with additional evidence. Transitive; requires a direct object such as a claim, story, or testimony.
“The witness was able to corroborate the driver's story about the accident.”
“Recent archaeological findings corroborate the historical accounts of the city's sudden destruction in the third century.”
Antonyms
02to strengthen
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Formal
v. to make something stronger or more solid.
v. to make strong or to strengthen a physical or abstract entity. This sense is largely archaic in modern general-service English.
“The new laws were intended to corroborate the power of the central government.”
“The king sought to corroborate his position by forming strategic alliances with neighboring territories.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “corroborate” in context.
Verb
01. corroborate finding
“The researchers conducted a second study to corroborate the initial finding.”
verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“Photograph: courtesy of the family With no corroborating evidence, only a police investigation could assess the credibility of Sasha’s allegations.” “Not only can their arrival time suggest that they dwelt with other particles for a negative amount of time, but if one asks those other particles, they will corroborate the story.” Etymology
First attested in the 1530s; borrowed from Latin corrōborātus (“strengthened”), perfect passive participle of corrōborō (“to support, corroborate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from con- (“together”) + rōborō (“to strengthen”), from rōbur, rōboris (“strength”). Regular participial usage of the adjective up until Early Modern English, otherwise archaic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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